Foundations of Agricultural Sciences 1 (AGRI10045)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to provide Bachelor of Agriculture students with an understanding of the underpinning enabling physical sciences, as they relate to agricultural systems. Concepts in physics, chemistry, mathematics and data management will be introduced in the context of the science of Earth and soil, water and climate, and plant and animal biology. In particular, this subject introduces students to concepts in physics and chemistry, as they apply to agricultural science.
In addition, students will acquire and apply mathematical techniques that will enable them to model and interpret data sets.
This subject will begin with introduction to the sun and to solar radiation as the source of energy on earth. Topics will include the spectrum of solar radiation, how light carries energy, energy transformation and measurement of solar radiation. The nature of energy in chemical bonds will then be discussed, with introduction to different types of bonding, valency, and the periodic table. The energy cycle in living systems will then be introduced, and some important chemical reactions in cells will be discussed. Heating and cooling and heat transfer mechanisms, as they apply to earth systems and living systems operating in agricultural environments, will then be discussed. Topics discussed will include the latent heat of water, evaporation and condensation, states of matter, evapotranspiration and the water cycle. The subject will conclude with consideration of how the Earth’s crust captures the suns energy, measurement of temperature and introduction to principles of climate trends and climate change.
Mathematics topics in this subject will include: data visualisation; data analyses, including population statistics and correlation; determination of key data parameters such as rate of change, maxima and minima.
Intended learning outcomes
This subject should enable students to:
- Understand the importance of physical and chemical principles as the foundations of agricultural sciences
- Apply an understanding of key concepts in physics and chemistry to describe fundamental biological processes such as electron transfer, photosynthesis, respiration, circulation and transpiration
- Integrate the use of numerical data, graphical analysis, basic statistics, and mapping, to represent and interpret phenomena in the natural world, in particular as they operate in agricultural environments
- Apply principles in physics and chemistry using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations, both biological and physical, and to problems in agricultural contexts
- Participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- demonstrate their understanding of fundamental principles in chemistry, physics and data management and their application in agricultural contexts lucidly, both in writing and orally
- acquire and interpret scientific data
- participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions, and study groups
- think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular tutorial classes, tests and the examination
Last updated: 7 January 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGRI10053 | Agriculture Discovery | March (On Campus - Dookie) |
0 |
Note: these can be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 7 January 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
3 intra-semester assessments based on workshop activities in Weeks 2, 3, 5 and 10
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 30% |
Intra-semester assessment
| From Week 6 to Week 7 | 25% |
Examination
| End of semester | 45% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must participate in a minimum 80% of scheduled workshops/practical classes. | N/A |
Last updated: 7 January 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Sarah Frankland Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 55 hours - 3 x 1-hour lecture per week for 11 weeks, 1 x 2-hour workshop per week for 10 weeks and 1 x 2-hour practical in week 10. Total time commitment 155 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the 'last day to withdraw without fail') count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 7 January 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
Last updated: 7 January 2025